On this AEI Events Podcast, AEI hosts an expert panel to examine the merits and drawback of reintroducing, reforming, or avoiding congressional earmarking. This event is moderated by AEI’s Gary J. Schmitt, and participants include Jay Cost of the Weekly Standard, Jason Grumet of the Bipartisan Policy Center, and Frances Lee representing the University of Maryland College Park.

Congress approved a moratorium on earmarks in 2010 in face of accusations of wasteful spending and transactional politics powerfully invoked by the controversy over the “bridge to nowhere.” In the years since, Congress has suffered from an inability to solve hard problems. Numerous congressional reformers connect this gridlock in part to the absence of earmarks, which gave elected legislators “skin in the game” and an incentive to deliberate about bipartisan policymaking. Others argue that a return to earmarks will only complicate the legislative agenda and potentially further enhance the public’s skepticism about Congress and its members. Join the conversation here.

AEI’s Gary Schmitt makes the opening remarks (0:55), Frances Lee kicks off the discussion (5:38), Jay Cost shares his thoughts (16:39), Jason Grumet offers his take (32:19), Gary raises questions (42:49), and audience Q&A (1:00:34).

Watch the full event here.

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This event took place on March 20, 2018.